Public Housing Waiting List Hits Five Year Low

More people in Pine Rivers and Kallangur electorates are in permanent accommodation, after the number of Queensland households waiting for social housing fell to its lowest level in five years.

Figures released by the Department of Housing and Public Works reveal the housing waiting list has dropped to from more than 30,000 to less than 20,000 across the state since the election of the Newman Government.

Member for Pine Rivers, Mr Seath Holswich, said the waiting list in the local area had dropped significantly, from 272 in March 2012, to 173 in January this year for Pine Rivers and 132 to 79 for Kallangur.

“We promised to revitalise frontline services and provide more housing for Queenslanders in need” said Mr Holswich.

“These figures are proof that we’re delivering on our commitments.”

“It’s fantastic news for the local community and families here who have been struggling for some time.”

Member for Kallangur, Mr Trevor Ruthenberg, said the positive trend had been achieved through a combination of more new dwellings and a renewed emphasis on alternative housing assistance products like RentConnect and Bond Loans.

“In the past there was a view that long-term taxpayer subsidised housing was the only option,” Mr Ruthenberg said.

“While there are those who will always need our help, there are plenty of others who are capable of sustaining a private tenancy with a bit of help.”

“That’s why as well as moving more than 5,000 people into a social housing tenancy, over the past year we have provided more than 19,000 households with an interest free bond loan and helped more than 9,000 households through the RentConnect program.”

Mr Ruthenberg said these types of assistance were popular with people who might otherwise be waiting years for social housing.

“Something like an interest-free bond loan can make a huge difference to people who just need a bit of help to get them into the private rental market,” Mr Ruthenberg said.